15. When granting benefits to persons belonging to national minorities residing abroad, States should ensure that they are consistent in their support for persons belonging to minorities within their own jurisdiction. Should States demonstrate greater interest in minorities abroad than at home or actively support a particular minority in one country while neglecting it elsewhere, the motives and credibility of their actions may be put into question. IV. Multilateral and bilateral instruments and mechanisms 16. States should co-operate across international frontiers within the framework of friendly bilateral and multilateral relations and on a territorial rather than an ethnic basis. Transfrontier co-operation between local and regional authorities and minority self-governments can contribute to tolerance and prosperity, strengthen inter-State relations and encourage dialogue on minority issues. 17. In dealing with issues concerning the protection of persons belonging to national minorities, States should be guided by the rules and the principles established in international human rights documents, including those multilateral instruments and mechanisms which have been created specifically to support the implementation of standards and commitments relating to minorities. 18. States are encouraged to conclude bilateral treaties and make other bilateral arrangements in order to enhance and further develop the level of protection for persons belonging to national minorities. These mechanisms offer vehicles through which States can share information and concerns, pursue interests and ideas, and further support minorities on the basis of friendly relations. A bilateral approach should follow the spirit of fundamental rules and principles laid down in multilateral instruments. 19. States should make good use of all available domestic and international instruments in order to effectively address possible disputes and to avert conflicts over minority issues. This may include advisory and consultative bodies such as minority councils, joint commissions and relevant international organizations. Mediation or arbitration mechanisms should be established in advance through appropriate bilateral or multilateral agreements. 8 Recommendations on National Minorities in Inter-State Relations